WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all digeulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Standardization in Lorry Manufacture.
More than 150 executives from a number of American motor lorry and accessory manufacturing concerns met for a two days' session with the United States Department of Commerce quite recently to consider further progress in a standardization programme which came up for consideration some months ago. One of the more important features of the meeting was the consideration of four sizes of lorry chassis. These came in the fast freight class (1 ton and 14 to 2 tons), and the heavy duty class ,(2A to 3 tons and 4 to 5 tons). Ttese capacities are likely to supplant the wide range of sizes now in use.
An effort is to be made to bring about the simplification of parts and the development of standards to allow of a reduction in cost. Seven group committees have been surveying the opportunities to effect these changes. These reports cover ratings, engines, accessories, steering gears, axles, wheels, springs, clutches, controls, transmission brakes, power take-offs, propeller shafts, joints and bearings, frames, cross-inembers, brackets, bodies, dashboards, cowls, seats and cabs. r Ulster Premier's Views on Motor Traffic.
Addressing a large meeting at Ballymoney, in County Antrim, Sir James Craig showed dearly that the Northern Government of Ireland intends to regulate the pace of T_llster's commercial progrew by mechanical rather than equine "Inp." In view of the opposition to motor traffic by rural bodies and agricultural organizations the following passage from the Premier's speech is .particularly significant :—
" Let it not be thought that heavy lorries and chars-d-banes rushed. out from Belfast and other centres for the mere malicious purpose of destroying roads. The evolution of motorcar traffic was all in favour of the countryside. There were complaints that the roads made suitable for motor traction were correspondingly deleterious from the horse traffic point of view, but progress was the order of the day."
With reference to roads, Sir James Craig said that, owing to the growth of the Road Board Fund, which is financed out of motor taxation, it would be possible to make even larger contributions to local authorities in the future, and that not only first and second-class roads but also third-class roads would be assieted.
Auckland Buys More Buses.
A report of the Auckland (New Zealand) Corporation states that when the city council decided to put buses on the road ten large vehicles were obtained and these have been in constant service for the past seven months. It-was seen, however, that these vehicles were not sufficient for the efficient handling of traffic and some months ago the council accepted tenders for a further 20 buses. Fifteen of these are designed to give seating accommodation to 26 passengers B20
and the other five are designed to carry = passengers each.
With the construction of five of the new 20-passenger buees, which are of a lighter and speedier type than those already in use, the tramway department has inaugurated services on three new routes and has replaced the two heavier vehicles running on a certain route to
Parnell. Several new routes, on each of which one bus is employed, have been established.
A feature of the new buses is that they are one-man-controlled. With the exception of the Parnell run, which is of two sections, the new routes are all of one section. A novel system for the collection of fares has been introduced, which will probably be extended to other council vehicles as the traffic increases. Under the new system a passenger, on getting into the vehicle, is handed a card, the colour of which indicates at what section he boards. This is held until the end of the journey and on alighting the passenger drops the fare into a specially constructed box.
• Farm Tractors in Egypt.
An agricultural and industrial exhibition is to he held in Cairo from February 20th to March 6th next under the auspices of the Egyptian Society of Agriculture, at which a section is to Le provided for farm tractors, motor ploughs, etc.
British Motor Trust Dividend.
The year's working of the British Motor Trust Co., Ltd., to June 30th last reveals a net profit of £11,563 as compared with £3,023 in the preceding year. The company are paying a dividend of 10 per cent., which is the same as that for last year.
Port of London Ambulances.
The annual report of the Port of Lonadn Authority states that during the year the Authority's motor ambulances were used on 962 occasions compared with 894 in the previous year. The ambulances have also been largely used for cases occurring outside the dock gates.
The Rule of the Road.
A very useful booklet suitable for the pocket dealing with the rule of the road, written by E. V. A. Christy and published by Vinton and Co., Ltd., 8, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, E.C.4, has just been published at 2s. net. It contains the recognized regulations, signals, signs and existing customs governing the British Isles for motor vehicles, horse vehicles, and all other forms of traffic. The book has evidently been prepared from a good knowledge of highway laws and customs. The Ministry's Decision in the Keighley Bus Dispute.
The Ministry of Transport has given its " opinion " in the appeal of the Premier Transport Co., of Keighley, against the condition which the Corporation of Keighley sought to impose upon the company whereby they should sign an agreement to charge a fare higher than that charged by the corporation on trolley vehicles and motorbuses.
. At the inquiry held recently the company stated that they did not object to charging a higher fare than the corporation on services which were run solely by trolley vehicles, but they objected to charging higher fares on routes in which they were in competition with the corporation motor omnibuses. They complained that the corporation sought to set up a monopoly by compelling them to charge higher fares.
The reply from the Ministry of Transport to the town clerk of Keighley states that "It will be in your recollection that the corporation refused to grant neences to the company on the ground that the company are not prepared to subscribe to Condition 3 which appears on the reverse of the printed form of application supplied by the corporation. The Minister understands that the company are prepared to accept the condition, provided the wards' or motor omnibus' are deleted therefrom. I am to inform you that, in the opinion of the Minister, the condition is reasonable so far as it relates to routes lying wholly within the borough areas, but that in the case of competitive routes lying partly within and partly without the borough area he considers that , competition between the appellants' services and the corporation omnibuses should be on equal terms, and that the corporation should not seek to impose upon the appellants conditions more onerous than those under which its own omnibus services operate."
Dutch and Belgian Transport Methods.
At a meeting of the Graduate and Student Society of the Institute of Transport held a few days ago, papers were read dealing with Dutch and Belgian transport methods. Mr. E. W. Bayliss, in his paper, dealt with road transport and gave a lucid sketch of the conditions under which motorbuses and tramcars operate in Holland and Belgium. Amongst special features to which attention was drawn were one-man buses and trams, the almost universal employment of pneumatics for motorbuses, the crowding of the vehicles to their fullest seating and standing capacity, and the simplicity of the ticket-issue systems which
are in vogue. References were also made tp the feet that motorbuses have been, adopted by the Society operating the light railway systems of Belgium, and that they were apparently receiving the same sense of monopoly as the light railways. It would appear that in Amsterdam motorbuses make use of the ferries to avoid the need for taking circuitous routes to the suburbs.
Pahner Tyre Report.
The report of the Palmer Tyre, Ltd., which has just been issued for the year ended August 31st last, shows that a profit of £6,821 was made on the sear, to which must be added 11,165, the balance brought forward from the previous year. Out of the total sum available, a dividend free of income tax is to be paid • at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum. This will absorb 16,000, and leave £1,986 to be earried forward. The result of the company's trading during , the year shows a slight improve" went over that for the previous 12 months.
The Benevolent Fund Appeal.
Sir Harold Bowden, the president of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund, has issued his appeal to the cycle and motor trades, and the response up to November 12th amounted to a sum of 11,361. This is Sir Harold Bowden's second year as president of the Benevolent Fund, and although he has indicated that he hardly expects to create another record, it would appear that a generous response will be made to his appeal.
The Benevolent Fund banquet is being held on December 1st and Lord Bitkenhead has promised to propose the toast of "The Fund," whilst it is hoped that another of His Majesty's Ministers Will also speak.
Petitioning for Buses.
A curious position has arisen in connection with the out-district services of the Newport (Mon.) Town Council. When the recent council Bill was before Parliament the Magor Rural District Council sucessfully opposed the Newport proposal to run buses in the Mager area to Coldeliffe, Whitson and Nash. The inhabitants of these districts, to the extent of SO per cent. of the total, have now petitioned the Newport Council to run corporation buses to those villages. The Magor Council is now in the strange position of holding views contrary to those held by its own electorate. Should the Magor Council agree to permit the services, the Netvport authority is vested with powers to meet the request of the petitioners.
The Activities of the Rochdale Fire Brigade.
The watch Committee of the Rochdale Corporation has approved the building of a new fire-station and firemen's dwellings at an estimated cost of between 140,000 and 150,000. The chairman of the committee (Councillor Robert Turner, J.P.) has offered to purchase the necessary land for i5',000 and present it to the town. The present firestation is situated in a congested part of the town.
At the moment the Rochdale Brigade possesses two Leyland fire-engines, one with a pumping capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute and the other (delivered a few months ago) with a capacity of 1,200 gallons per minute, and a Merryweather engine having a capacity of 500 gallons per minute. It is expected that a turntable fire-escape -will be added to the fleet before long. There are also three ambulances attached to the brigade, two being 20 h.p. Auetins (one was delivered this year and a horse-drawn vehicle which it is
now proposed to replace with another motor vehicle. So far this year the ambulances have responded to about 1,000 calls.
Apart from this it is proposed to ptirchase a prison van for the conveyance of prisoners from the Rochdale Police Court cells to Strangeways Gaol, Manchester, a distance of 11 miles.
Biscuit Makers' Delivery Van.
We illustrate on-this page a BO-cwt. Fiat van recently put in service by the Imperial Wafer Co. (S. Demarco, Sons and Co.), of Robert Street, Govan. The body was built by Clement Butler an!
• Co., of Park Works, Oxford Road, Ounnersbury, London, W.4, to special designs, and the Vehicle is being used for the delivery of biscuits throughout Scot land. The driver is provided with a cab with drop windows in the doors so that in wet or misty weather he is completely protected.
The roof of the van is provided with a deep, light screen to allow empty biscuit tins to be carried, The advertisins, value of the van has also been kept in mind, the upper light sea-green-coloured panelling having a gold ellipse -within which the name of the users and their business are set out in gold lettering.
Municipal Bus Powers.
A Parliamentary Bill is to be promoted by the Municipal Tramways Association to confer upon municipalities the power to establish bus services similar to those now possessed by private motorbus concerns.
Ford's Record Output.
We are informed that two shanufacWring records were established by the Ford Motor Co. with the close of the month of October. On the last day of the month production reached the phenomenal total of 9,109 cars and trucks, this figure exceeding the previous best day's output by 92. The total production of the company for October was 204,827 cars and trucks. Sheffield Highway Costs.
We have received from the city surveyor of Sheffield a copy of the report of the highway and sewerage committee for the year ended March 31st last, which shows that the gross expenditure in the year amounted to 1550,244, as against £531,618 in the previous year. Of this sum, 185,207 represents expenditure on highways, whilst £51,469 was the cost ofeffecting street-cleansing operations.
The highway costs show little variation. When reduced to a pounds-permile basis, the average is £217 per mile as against £216 for the previous year, and an average of 1254 for the seven pre-war years. The policy of the authorities in laying asphaltic surfacing in place of sett paving or wood blocks has been continued during the past year, and, at the end of the period covered by the report, the area of this material in Sheffield was 513,000 super-yards. Some of this surfacing has been down since 1917, and lengths of roadway which have carried heavy traffic, amounting in the aggregate' to between 8,000 tons and 10,000 tons per day, have been down since 1919, and none of this is yet worn out.
So far as street cleansing is concerned, these operations cost 14,332 more to perform in 1924-1925 than in 1923-1924, the actual figures per mile of street dealt with being 1131 and £121 respectively. The difference in cost is explained by the authority's desire to bring the cleansing of streets up to a, higher standard and this involves More frequent sweeping.
The Sheffield authorities now have five gully emptiers at work, and during the year under review these machines emptied 219,674 gullies.
; New Rotax Battery Agent.
• Rotax (Motor Accessories), Ltd., Willesden Junction, London, N,W.10, advise us that they have appointed Messrs. Aram and Co., Putney Bridge Road, London, 8.W.15, as their official battery agents for the district of Putney.
Trading of the Coventry Chain Co.
The 19th annual report of the Coventry Chain Co., Ltd., has just been issued and shows that for the 12 months ended August 31st last the company made a profit of 140037. After adding the balance brought forward from the previous year, i.e., 112,496, the available balance for distribution is 153,192, out of which 110,335 has already been distributed. Of the sum that remains, 11,671 will be absorbed by the payment of a half-year's dividend on the preference shares at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum less tax, 117,141 will constitute a payment of a final dividend of 7 per cent, on the ordinary shares (making' 10 per cent. for the year less tax, whilst £16,027 is to be carried, to the investment account thus extinguishing the loss on the realization of the Coventry Repetition Co., Ltd. After these appropriations are made, there remains the sum of 18,019 to be carried forward.
• The animal general meeting of the company takes place at their registered offices at Spon End, Coventry, to-day (Tuesday). The shareholders of the company have just been advised that the board has entered into an arrangement for the purchase of the whole of the ordinary shares of Brampton Bros., Ltd.
Britain's Longest Road.
Volume six of the interesting series of -pietorial road plans entitled "On the Road," which is being issued by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., has just been published. The new volume tells, by means of 45 strip maps and a happily expressed introduction, the story of Britain's longest road—those 394 miles which connect the English and Scottish capitals. Each of the host of interesting landmarks met along the Great North Road is noted, and serves to stimulate the interest of the traveller by pointing out features which might otherwise be overlooked. The volume sells at 6d.
Electrical Engineers and Battery Vehicles.
In the course of an address to the Dundee Sub-Centre of the -Institution of Electrical Engineers, Mr. S. P. Thompson, the chairman, remarked upon the growing use of the trolley-bus, and said that in certain districts, given definite routes of suitable mileage, one would imagine that battery vehicles might also find a useful place. He further
B22 added that "with batteries suitably arranged for quick exchange at a depot these vehicles would appear to possess certain advantages over petrol vehicles, in addition to providing a profitable load for electricity supply undertakings. And why not use some of the country's coal for this purpose instead of import ing petrol? The surface of our road
ways generally is being steadily improved, and I really think we should give more attention to the use of battery vehicles in transport problems thanwe have perhaps done in the past."
Production in North America.
The Culled States Department of Commerce announces that the number of commercial trucks produced in North America during September last was 60,363, of which number 2,480 vehicles were nnilt in (Anode. In the previous month the production figure for vehicles if this type was 36,277, the Canadian portion of this output being 1,436.
A Commer for Overseas.
One of the latest vehicles to leave the works of Commercial Cars, Ltd., at Luton, is the platform lorry depicted in an illustration on this page. This machine is a 2-loaner and its basis is an example of the manufacturers' 20-type chassis. The vehicle has just been shipped to Northern Rhodesia for the use of the North CharterIand Exploration Co., Ltd., of Fort Jameson. The vehicle will have its capabilities well tested, for it is to be used on service between Blantyre and Fort Jameson, which are separated by about 300 miles. The lorry possesses a striking appearance, and it will be observed that the wheels are fitted with large-size pneumatic tyres, these being of Dunlop make, and twins are used on the rear wheels.
Turning from Rail to Road Transport.
Concrete examples of the utility and economy of road transport were given during the course of the annual meeting of the Lan,g,date. Manure Co., Ltd. at Newcastle recently. The chairman, Mr. E. L. l3ackingham, in discussing the transport difficulties of the company, observed that in their home trade they had taken advantage of the great facilities afforded by motor vehicles to deliver goods direct from their works to the premises of customers. Ordinarily they used rail transport, but there had been a favourable opportunity during the past year of delivering 2,400 tons of material by road, a fact which was rendered the more striking as they had a rail siding into their works. In his opinion that diversion of traffic constituted a severe challenge to the railroads, and it was to be hoped that it would act as an inducement towards increased rail facilities and decreased rates in the future.
A Booklet on Pistons. .
The Light Production Co., Ltd., 6060, Rochester Row, Westminster, London, S.W.1, have just issued an attractive little booklet entitled " Getting Those Revs," and it consists, in the main, of a brief outline of the manufacture, special features and qualities of Aerolite pistons. Apart from the fact, however, that it is intended to draw particular attention to pistons of this type and make, it contains interesting and useful material relating to the manufacture and use of such components. A copy of the booklet can be obtained from the address given above.
R.I.A. Resolutions re the Road Fund.
At a special meeting, of the Roads Improvement Association held a few days ago, five resolutions were passed concernins' the proposal of the Chancellor . of the Exchequer to divert a portion of the Road Fund to services other than roads. One of the resolutions concerns a recommendation of the Association for setting up regional authorities to deal with schemes of development, regional planning and road construction affecting the area of more than one local authority, to which regional authorities block grants, it is suggested, shall be made out of the Road Fund. Use of Weighing Machines In Surrey.
Several times in The Commercial Motor reference has been made to the weighing machines situated in various parts of the county of Surrey. It is now announced that the weighing of heavy vehicles is to be discontinued. The chairman of the public control committee appears to have stated that the weighing was not doing any good, for vehicles were using other roads which were less able to bear the traffic.
Another councillor remarked that the principal offender was the highways committee—one lorry having been "trapped" when engaged in connection with road repairs at Brookwood.
Road v. Rail in the Argentine.
At the annual meeting of the Entre Rios Railways Co., Ltd., held in London a few days ago, the chairman referred to the fact that in Entre Rios and elsewhere in the Argentine some local passenger traffic on the railways is being lost when the roads are dry through the competition of motor vehicles. In the hope of meeting this competition, the company have recently sent out a Sentinel-Cammell passenger steam coach with a seating capacity for 54 passensnrs, and if Government permission can be obtained it is the company's intention to use this roach on a local service, picking up and setting down passengers, at their (..onvenienee, just as in the case of ordin.ary tramway services. By tbis means some of the traffic which has
been lost may be regained. • Successful Travelling Butchers' Shops.
• Some little time ago the Worcester Co-operative Society started a travelling butcher's shop properly equipped, the meat being hung and well enclosed. The success of this mobile shop, which was built on a Ford chassis, necessitated the purchase of an additional vehicle of a light tepa and a Morris chassis was bought and suitably equipped to cope with the increased trade. It is believed that the society was the first to introduce this this up-to-date method of serving country people in the district, and it is rumoured that several other traders intend to follow suit
A Market for British Vehicles.
During last year an increase of over 150 per cent, was recorded in the imports of motor lorries entering Ceylon. It is interesting to note from official figures that the percentage of imports from the United Kingdom increased by 187 per cent., although America was not far behind with 174 per cent., and Canada with 128 per cent. The total number of lorries imported into Ceylon during 1924 was 800, representing a value of 2,168,158 Rs., as against 318, of a value of 891,689 Rs., in the previous year.
• Traffic Control in Newcastle Aninteresting scheme is receiving the attention of the Newcastle Corporation watch committee as a means to enable it to tackle the road-traffic problem and
reduce road dangers. For 'SAITIC time past the question has received the earnest attention of the committee on account of the ever-increasing volume Of road traffic, and it now appears likely that, in the near future, the city will institute a system of street traffic signal stations similar to those in use in America.
Steps are being taken to ascertain the most dangerous junctions and corners of the city, with a view to placing indicators at. these points. The type of indicator chosen will be prominent both by day and night. It will be painted black . and white, and will, be equipped with electric lamps for night warning as well as with coloured glasses for traffic control.
Vacuum's Grease-making Works. The picture which we publish on this page constitutes an aerial view of the Birkenhead works of the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd., and it serves to show their extensive character. The grease-making plant in these works is said to be the largest and most up to date of its kind in the country. One of the most im
portant features of the department in which this plant is accommodated is the apparatus which, before the grease is packed into containers, forces it through fine new wire gauze and thus removes any substance likely to interfere with the efficiency of the lubricating properties of the grease. It is in these works that the various well-known grades of Mobilnbricant are manufactured.
Oil Properties hi Russia.
We have received from the Association of British Creditors of Russia, 129, Cannon Street, London, E.C., an advance cdpy of a booklet which the Association is issuing with regard to the confiscation of • the British-owned oil properties in Russia and the disposal' of • the proceeds in this country.
Bus Services in Mining Valleys.
The Great Western Railway Co. have decided to introduce motorbus services in the Monmouthshire mining valleys. The initial service is to be one from Pontypool and Panteg to Griffithstown, via Pontypool Road and New Inn
Seeking Permission for Bus Services.
A deputation from the Norther]. General Transport Co., Ltd., was received at the last meeting of the Houghton-le-Spring Rural District Council relative to the council's refusal to evo permission, so far as its area is concerned, for the proposed service from Houghton via Penshaw and •Washington, to Gateshead. The company were represented by Mr. R. W. Cramp, general manager, and Mr. H. A. Stagg, president-director, and the latter painted out that the new service would be of great advantage to residents along the route, as they were badly served by railway facilities. He said that a regular service would be maintained and reasonable fares charged.
The chairman. (Mr. R. Bunter) observed that there was already an ado
quote service for the needs of the people of the district and, whilst they had no prejudice against the company, they must think of the safety of the public, having regard to the volume of present-day road traffic. Furthermore, they must be fair to the company which had served the district for 20 years past.
Mr. Stagg reminded the authority that competition could be avoided by the arrangement of a proper time-table and that the main object of his company was to cater for travellers to and from Gateshead and not purely local traffic.
The council decided to adhere to its previous decision not to grant permission.
An Agricultural Show in Belgium.
The Department of Overseas Trade is informed that the 13th annual International Agricultural Exhibition to be held in Brussels will take place in the Palais Cinquantenaire from February 20th to 28th, 1926, The exhibition is being organized by the Societe de Meeanique et d'Industries Agricoles, 20, Rue Neuve, Brussels, from which application forms and details of regulations can be obtained.
Local Proceedings.
Wakefield Corporation is considering the advisability of purchasing a trailer fire pump. • Auckland (New Zealand) Corporation proposes the purchase of 17 additional motorbuses.
Bolton Corporation is to seek powers to enable motorbus services to be run beyond the borouth boundaries.
Bedwas and Machen Urban District Council-has decided to purchase a motor ambulance at a cost of about £700.
The fire-brigade committee of the Penrith District Council is to purchase a motor tender at a cost of about £725.
Paiguton District Council has arranged to issue season tickets for the parking grounds at 10s. 6d. each for the season.
Wakefield Watch Committee has decided that all motorbuses must be fitted with lifeguards as suggested by the chief constable.
The highways committee of the Portland Urban District Council recommends the purchase of a Vulcan motor, lorry at a cost of £475.
Manchester Corporation is notifying local authorities adjacent to the city that it is prepared to inaugurate motorbus services in outside districts where such services are required and the local authorities are willing to allow them.
To comply with the requirements of the Heavy Motor Car Order, the Durham County Council has purchased new brakes from Fodens, Ltd., for fitting to the 11 Foden steam wagons in its service, at a cost of £31 10s. per set.
Durham County Council has authorized the county surveyor to order a substitution of rubber tyres for the existing steel tires on the council's Aveling and Porter and the Burrell steam tractors at an estimated cost of £195 and £220 respectively. Byshottles Urban District Council has decided to purchase a Morris motor ambulance.
Coventry Corporation has decided to run motorbus services to places outside the city on market days.
The Ministry of Health has approved the expenditure of £1,700 by the Aberystwyth U0an District Council on a motor fire-engine and equipment.
Droitwich Rural District Council has decided to purchase a motor lorry for the highways committee. This will be the first purchase of the kind by this council.
Warwickshire County Council reports that the average increase of road traffic in 1925 over that of 1922 is 81 per cent., and over that of 1913 no less than 581 per cent.
Glasgow Corporation has decided to purchase two Ford chassis at £153 each and to arrange for Messrs. R. Johnston and Sons, of Newton Mearns, to supply bodies for them at £78 each.
Before deciding on the purchase of motor vehicles for refuse collection, -Northampton Corporation has appointed a sub-committee to visit various towns to examine and report upon methods in use and types of vehicle employed.
Selling Spencer Moulton Tyres.
We hear that Mr. Lionel Caswell, for some years sales manager for Spencer Moulton solid band tyres, is now in charge of the sales of both pneumatic and solid band tyres of this make. Mr.
Caswell is well known in the motor industry, having been associated with the trade for just over 18 years. Many of our readers will, of course, know that George Spencer Moulton and Co., Ltd., arc now making giant pneumatic tyres as well as those of ordinary sizes.
German Imports.
Official returns lately to hand show that no fewer than 1,412 commercial vehicles, valued at £241,300, were imported into Germany during the seven months ended July last, as compared with only 304 (£102,950) in. the corresponding period of last year. The largest share of the trade is attributed to Denmark, but the vehiclea mainly consisted of Fords assembled at the company's Copenhagen factory.